PACKING 101 (Vol. 1)
tips, tricks, and how I'm packing for three weeks in Europe this summer (volume 1)
My upcoming travel schedule is…chaotic…to say the least. With three weddings in 30 days, graduation celebrations, and a euro summer adventure on the books, my suitcase is the closest thing I’m getting to a plus one this summer.
Starting off with The Holy Trinity.
AKA the three items I am constantly dragging out of my closet to unpack/repack because they work for 99% of the trips I take.
Away Bigger Carry-On: They say they can’t guarantee that all overhead bins are big enough for the bigger carry on but I have never had an issue. This suitcase has been around the world and back with me. I always joke that its small enough to hold clothes for a two day weekend trip and big enough to take with you for 3.5 weeks in Europe. I wish I had the Bigger Carry-On Flex so that I could expand it but they didn’t have that option five years ago when I bought my set. When did away get added to Amazon?
Calpak Luka Duffel: Before I got this bag I was using the Away Everywhere Bag (see below) but shoutout Natalie and Kristen for introducing this life-saving bag into my life. I swear this thing holds 30 lbs worth of items. When Ellee and I went to Australia and brought this bag as our personal item, we had to pretend our shoulders weren’t breaking under the weight of it so the gate agents wouldn’t pull us aside and make us weigh it.
Away Medium Flex: This is the best bag ever. It holds so much without being so large that it’s too easy to go over the 50 lb limit and the expansion is perfect for when I inevitably come home with more items that I left with. My strategy is to travel to a place with it zipped up, leaving myself room to expanded it on the way home for said inevitable purchases.
Honorable Mentions:
Away Everywhere Bag: This has been my personal item for years and I still bring it on most short trips when I don’t need all the space the Calpak offers. I love that it has a laptop storage spot and fits perfectly under the seat without taking all your foot space. Also on Amazon.
Packing Cubes: Started traveling with these for Semester at Sea and never looked back. I love these ones and the Away ones. Maybe it just helps me organize better but I swear you can fit more in your luggage when you use them.
Toiletry Bags: I’m the kind of person where everything needs its own bag so I can keep some semblance of organization when I am on the go. I have multiple of these Aloha Collection bags and always use one for standard toiletries (toothbrush, deodorant, face wash, etc) and one for makeup. There are so many good toiletry bags that can organize and hold everything but I don’t love the bulkiness of most. The Aloha bags are great because they pack down well, are waterproof, and clean really easily.
Travel Backpacks: There are so many on the market these days and while I do feel like I am exiting the true “backpacking” stage of my life (but never say never), there is something to be said about not having everything on just one shoulder. I got this one for Semester at Sea and still use it for certain trips or even long weekends away. If I were to get something “newer” the last time we hostel-hopped in Australia it seemed like everyone had this new North Face bag.
In My Carry On
Ipad: I go full iPad kid mode on even the shortest flights. Phone is for music, laptop is for work, and iPad is for inflight entertainment.
Laptop (duh): I swear I’m working on all these trips.
Headphones: I always pack both my corded Apple headphones and Airpods. I really need to invest in this Airfly thing but I like being able to switch between the two and give my ears a bit of a break on long flight.
Film Camera: Wanted a fun way to document my travels and SoCal Cameras has the best selection. Variety of price points and all cameras are tested. Plus, they are so helpful - I DM’d them asking for recs for an easy point and shoot that would still give a classic film look and they quickly pointed me in the right direction.
Kindle: Team Kindle, sorry. Find book inspo for your next trip here.
Wallet/Passport
Charger Bag: I bring my laptop, phone, apple watch and portable charger everywhere (+ a converter for international trips).
Long Haul Accessories:
Eye Mask
Neck Pillow: I have the away one but it’s not my favorite and I don’t even see it on their site anymore. I like this one better. Also, so intrigued by this Trtl one.
TSA approved sleep gummies
Change of clothes in case my luggage gets lost (been there, it sucks).
Toiletry bag with the essentials (toothbrush, deodorant, hand sanitizer, etc)
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask: I swear by this stuff. They have a whole Jet Lag Collection now (which makes the perfect gift for your travel bestie).
BYO FOOD!!! I cannot eat plane food or drink alcohol on a long flight anymore. I like to buy a Whole Foods sandwich or wrap right before I go to the airport and save that for my flight + a granola bar amd apple for breakfast.
PS. My water bottle hack is that I fill my Hydroflask with ice before I go to the airport and it doesn’t get flagged in TSA because ice is a #solid not a #liquid. Then I fill it up at a water station and voila, cold (free) water.
Shop all my fav travel essentials here.
Yess at the calpak duffel! also, window seat. always 😌